May can be wetter too - surprisingly so sometimes, strong frontal systems can cause flooding. But your odds for having some pleasant riding days are better in May - just don't play around with a Kansas thunderstorm or you may find yourself in Oz. It should be a great adventure!

Yeah - for many years now I have worn long sleeves in the summer heat - I find it to actually be more comfortable than having my arms fried.

This, and the previous couple of pages have been most helpful for my upcoming tour. Dodge City is a must, and now that I know about the wind turbine grounds of Garden City, that will also be on my itinerary. Those gigantic blades, mounted on specialized, super-long trailers, have given me many thrills when they pass me while cycling.

Also, I'm feeling happy about riding a month earlier than you did. It might be windier in May, but hopefully not as hot.

The tan lines on Daniel's arms have the most abrupt color contrast I've ever seen on a human body.

That is a wild day! Trials and tribulations make for great reading, but not so great to experience them.

I wonder if the White Bird Motel has a new owner? Although I presumed Barb had owned it a long time. She walks with a walker and had her daughter and another woman cleaning the rooms. They are now totally updated with brand new bathrooms, and laminate flooring. WiFi reaches the rooms now. Hurray! It’s still cash only $85. I think this is our cheapest room of the trip. It’s a good value.

The grocery is now closed. No hardware store. The bar is just a bar, and the restaurant across the street is now named Red’s. We ate there twice and was happy to see it.

The years can be tough on small towns.

I had three dogs come out there! I bet they are different dogs than lived there when you did this ride nine years ago. One was a Great Dane that was taller than me on my recumbent! Happily for me, they did follow directions when I yelled “go home”. Except the Great Dane, he came
On over and ducked under my arm to be petted. Jacinto saw only the boxer, but it didn’t come out of the yard.

Wow - it was 9 years ago, but that's not so long - I wonder what's happened to the deer? Too many people? Warming climate? Something must be changing so that they don't like the habitat as much now - or maybe they have been thinned out by over-hunting?

I think you're right!

Those look like elk. See their rear ends?

I haven't seen a single deer or antelope. Jacinto hasn't either. Much less so many deer as to bore people.

I think that sign was missing yesterday - like the pass sign! I definitely remember the intersection.

Thanks Jeff. Mystery solved! I noticed the Amish community between Marion and the Ohio River on my 2022 Great Rivers South tour, so that seems logical. I had no idea they hired people to drive them places -seems weird that the "rules" allow that. I read that your bike was headed to CA, looking forward to following your next adventure.

I believe this is the place, between Sebree and Dixon, that I ride past frequently. I think it's an Amish church and schoolhouse.

I took a photo of it yesterday (Sunday, June 2):

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/2024tbd/first-time-on-the-singlespeed-in-several-months/#53616_xo0mrkytoa873s313jysdgak0du

Note all of the nearly-identical black vehicles in the parking lot. I believe these are driven by non-Amish locals that the Amish hire to drive them everywhere.

I used Soma C-line 38mm tires on the first half - they are a supple tire that Randonneur types might use, lightweight and at 38mm they were very comfortable - but you get uncomfortable pretty quickly once you start having flats and changing tires!

What tire did you use for the first part of the ride? What are you using now? I've been a long time Marathon Racer fan, but my new bike has 700 wheels, and came with Continental Duraskin tires (Gatorskins with sidewall protection). I had heard of these previously as a tandem couple I know who rode Paris-Brest-Paris said that is the tire of favor for the randoneering crowd. I do feel they have a harsh ride in comparison with the Racers, but do like the idea of better puncture resistance. IDK, it's possible to debate tires forever!